Located about an hour and a half north of the Golden Gate Bridge, California’s Wine Country is famous for a reason. Aside from the obvious appeal of it being a premier wine-producing region, the area is known for its phenomenal scenic beauty and culinary excellence. About 55 miles from Napa Valley is Healdsburg- a charming town in California that’s perfect for retail therapy, fine dining, and natural beauty.

In the heart of Sonoma County, Healdsburg is home to over 80 vineyards.

Akira Yuan / EyeEm/EyeEm via Getty Images You definitely won’t miss out on the wine experience if you opt to visit Healdsburg instead of Napa. The Healdsburg Plaza alone has 40 different tasting rooms! Many of the wines come from family owned businesses, and all are expertly crafted.

In addition to having some of the best wine in the world, this small town is also a well known culinary epicenter.

Valette Restaurant/Facebook There are many incredible dining options in Healdsburg. The farm-to-table style of the local eateries provide lots of options for guests to choose from.

If you’re someone who likes to shop, The Healdsburg Plaza can take an entire afternoon.

Susan Graf LTD/Facebook The stores downtown feature apparel, home decor, jewelry, books, and more unique finds.

The Hand Fan Museum is the only hand fan museum in the United States, and it’s located on the picturesque streets of Downtown Healdsburg. 

Hand Fan Museum/Wikipedia This unique exhibit displays collections from around the world, and various times in history.

Sonoma Valley is one of the most beautiful places in Northern California, making it a popular destination for bikers.

Gary Saxe/Moment via Getty Images You can bring your own bike to explore the area, but there are also many bike tours that include wine tastings!

Healdsburg is close to The Russian River, which is a wonderful place to swim or kayak.

Bill Oxford/iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images The waters of The Russian River are very clean and gentle, making it a wonderful spot to spend a day with family.

There are some really cozy places to stay when visiting Healdsburg, but Camellia Inn has a perfect location.

Management/Trip Advisor In addition to being charming to look at, this Inn offers a pool, free parking, and breakfast.

For a more laid-back experience in Wine Country, Sonoma has Napa beat. Sonoma offers more family-owned wineries, as well as Healdsburg’s small-town charm. This area is quieter than other frequently visited destinations in the region, but the dining and shopping experience is still terrific. If you’re thinking of visiting this special town, find more information on the Visitor’s Website. 

Akira Yuan / EyeEm/EyeEm via Getty Images

You definitely won’t miss out on the wine experience if you opt to visit Healdsburg instead of Napa. The Healdsburg Plaza alone has 40 different tasting rooms! Many of the wines come from family owned businesses, and all are expertly crafted.

Valette Restaurant/Facebook

There are many incredible dining options in Healdsburg. The farm-to-table style of the local eateries provide lots of options for guests to choose from.

Susan Graf LTD/Facebook

The stores downtown feature apparel, home decor, jewelry, books, and more unique finds.

Hand Fan Museum/Wikipedia

This unique exhibit displays collections from around the world, and various times in history.

Gary Saxe/Moment via Getty Images

You can bring your own bike to explore the area, but there are also many bike tours that include wine tastings!

Bill Oxford/iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

The waters of The Russian River are very clean and gentle, making it a wonderful spot to spend a day with family.

Management/Trip Advisor

In addition to being charming to look at, this Inn offers a pool, free parking, and breakfast.

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Address: Healdsburg Plaza, Healdsburg Ave & Matheson St, Healdsburg, CA 95448, USA